MH370 Chronology/2014-03-07/Pre-Flight/Backup

Timeline of events related to Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 which occurred prior to Departure

Event Colour Code

From 12:44 MYT Friday 7 March 2014 to 40:37 MYT Saturday 08 March 2014
(0444 UTC to 1640:37 UTC Friday 7 March 2014)

Malaysia Airlines MH370 — Pre-Flight Timeline

8 March 2014  ·  Kuala Lumpur → Beijing  ·  Boeing 777-200ER 9M-MRO

Ground / ATC

Aircraft / Crew

Radar observation

SATCOM / Inmarsat

Ground & ATC

Aircraft / Flight

Pre-Flight Friday 7 March 2014 (MYT)

7 Mar · 12:44 MYT
MH370 Flight Plan Filed
MAS Operations filed the Flight Plan for MH370

20:50:19 MYT
Satcom Initiates Log-On
The Satellite Data Unit (SDU) on Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 registered 9M-MRO initiated Log-On to Inmarsat POR I-3 satellite

20:50:22 MYT
ACARS Connects to SITA
ACARS on aircraft 9M-MRO connected to service provider SITA via VHF Radio

22:50 MYT
Captain Zaharie Shah signed in
Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, Pilot-In-Command of MH370, signed in for duty.

23:03:36 MYT
MH370 Flight Plan Uploaded to 9M-MRO
The MH370 Flight Plan was uploaded to Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 9M-MRO via ACARS as a Flight Planning System Interface Message.

23:15 MYT
Fariq Ab.Hamid signed in. MAS Releases Flight
The First officer, Fariq Ab.Hamid, signed in.
The MAS Operations Despatch Centre (ODC) released the flight at around 1515 UTC [2315 MYT].

23:54:31 MYT
MAS Contacts 9M-MRO via ACARS
Malaysia Airlines Operations Centre contacted MH370 by sending an ACARS message (over VHF) suggesting that VHF3 be switched (from data) to voice if the SATCOM system was operational (serviceable)

23:54:41 MYT
ACARS Established SATCOM
ACARS Downlink message from 9M-MRO confirms Satcom connected.

23:54:53 MYT
ACARS Message: VHF Datalink Lost
ACARS message sent via Satcom indicates VHF Datalink 'Lost' which confirms VHF radio (VHF3) had been switched from data to voice.

23:55:57 MYT
Satcom Initiates Log-On with Valid Flight ID
The SATCOM initiates a normal Log On Renewal as Class 1 (data only capable) via the POR I-3 satellite, using the LGA subsystem, this time with a valid Flight ID.

23:57:49 MYT
ACARS Re-established Datalink
ACARS re-established the datalink between the aircraft 9M-MRO and the service provider (SITA), via the satellite communications system.

23:59:57 MYT
SATCOM Initiates Log-On Handover to IOR I-3
The SATCOM initiates a Log-On handover as Class 3 (voice and data capable) to the IOR I-3 satellite, using the HGA subsystem, with a valid Flight ID.

Pre-Flight continues on 8 March 2014 (MYT)

00:00:13 MYT
ACARS Re-established Datalink
ACARS re-established the datalink between the aircraft 9M-MRO and the service provider (SITA), via the satellite communications system.

00:06:15 MYT
MAS Uploads Special Loads NOTOC
Malaysia Airlines used ACARS to send a list of the perishable cargo (Mangosteens) loaded on-board 9M-MRO. Fails to mention Lithium batteries.

00:06:32 MYT
MAS Uploads Final Load Sheet
SUMMARY

00:09:28 MYT
Captain Shah Acknowledges Loadsheet
In an ACARS message from the aircraft, Captain Shah responded to the request to acknowledge the Final Loadsheet by writing LS FINAL OK and quoting his licence number 751.

00:10:54 MYT
ACARS Re-established Datalink
ACARS on the aircraft 9M-MRO re-established a datalink over the satellite communications system.

00:25:52 MYT
First Officer Contacts Lumpur Airways Clearance Delivery at KLIA
"Delivery Malaysian Three Seven Zero good morning"
"Malaysian Three Seven Zero we are ready requesting flight level three five zero to Beijing"

00:26:41 MYT
Lumpur Delivery Responds
"Malaysian Three Zeven Zero is cleared to Beijing via Pibos Alpha Departure six thousand feet squawk two one five seven"

00:27:31 MYT
First Officer Contacts Lumpur Ground
"Ground Malaysian Three Seven Zero good morning Charlie One requesting push and start"

00:27:43 MYT
Lumpur Ground Responds
"Push back and start approved Three Two Right exit Sierra Four POB two three niner Mike Romeo Oscar"

00:27:57 MYT
ACARS OOOI B777 OUT Report
ACARS sent an 'Out-of-the-gate' report via the satellite communications datalink.

Malaysian Time (MYT) is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) + 8 hours

Coordinated Universal Time

Boeing 777-200 Extended Range

Aircraft Registration Number for the Boeing 777 used for Flight MH370. More Info

Air Traffic Control

Satellite Communications